Danton Hyman, Legally Deaf, Overcomes Odds to Become Two-Time All-Star
Photo Credit: Jimmy McCumber
BY KATHRYN HAMMLER
After being born legally deaf, Woodstock River Bandits outfielder Danton Hyman started wearing hearing aids at the age of two, but that’s never affected his passion for baseball.
The two-time Valley Baseball League All-Star started playing tee-ball at the age of three. Coached by his father, Hyman says his hearing disability never discouraged him from playing the game he loves. If anything, it has made him better, on and off the field.
While Hyman recognizes there are day-to-day challenges of maintaining his hearing aids while playing baseball, he says he overcomes those difficulties with the help of his college coach, Russell Triplett. Since he can’t hear the sound of the bat hitting the ball as well while in the outfield, he relies on his sight to make plays. “You have to see the ball first before you can do anything with it, so I try to pay more attention to the ball rather than listening for the sound,” he said.
Radiating enthusiasm and vigor, Hyman attributes his positive and humble attitude, and his passion for the game, to his father. Hyman’s father always encouraged him to play up to his full potential and give it 110% every time he steps onto the field. Additionally, Hyman admits he is an emotional person, but is able to successfully channel that emotion into positive enthusiasm so it “impacts the team” in a supportive way. He considers being an unwavering, dependable teammate as one of his biggest assets as a player.
While Hyman’s hearing difficulties have never prevented him from playing baseball, he realizes that it can be tough to overcome and stay positive, and he has some inspiring advice for young athletes who are also struggling with hearing difficulties. “I have always told them to never let a hearing difficulty stop them from chasing their dreams.” He emphasizes that just because someone may suffer from a certain disability, it shouldn’t define who they are as a person or athlete.
On the Woodstock River Bandits, Hyman is batting an impressive .325, including a team-best 14 RBIs. His knack for seeing the ball is expressed with his 12 walks and 12 stolen bases on the season. This past weekend, Hyman represented the North Division in the VBL All-Star Game for the second time and was named the North’s Player of the Game. He looks forward to the upcoming competition and opportunity to play the game he loves.
